I wrote my first novel over a two year period, much of it in long hand. When I finished it I felt a sense of satisfaction…..and dread. Was it any good? And, would I ever have an idea for another book?
Between a demanding teaching job, commuting by bicycle year-round, getting into long distance running, and the rest of life, like most people, many hours of my day were spoken for before I could sit down to write.
Okay, I got another idea and then another, and then another. Over a three-year period and I wrote three more books and revised and revised and revised.
Then, I came back to that first novel and I rewrote it. Why did I pick it back up? I guess I really loved the premise.
The story changed from a third person YA novel to a first person MG novel. And that’s the novel that took second place in the PNWA Annual Contest.
When I set my first novel aside I didn’t know that I’d come back to it three years later. I didn’t know I’d devote six months to a total rewrite that took the book through several more drafts.
During the process did I ever think I was wasting my time?
Yeah, that happened almost daily. And, where will the story go from here? I’m not sure….
Where is your first novel? Published? Under your bed? Still working on it? At rest in the little-visited catacombs of your hard drive? Have you considered revisiting it? How do you decide if something is worth rewriting as opposed to moving on to a new project?
My first novel is sitting, abandoned, on my computer. It's a mess, but underneath it all is a good story, so who knows. Maybe when I get better at editing ...
ReplyDeleteMy first novel is in the same place as Sarah's:) Funnily enough I have thought about going back and making it from YA to MG, shortening and tightening. S0meday:) Great post!
ReplyDeleteMy first novel is in my file drawer. I don't think it's totally terrible, so I might go back to it one day. I moved on to new projects because I had so many ideas (and I had to do something during the submission process). But I let go of novel #1 after a few rejections, because something obviously wasn't working.
ReplyDeleteI just couldn't let go of my first novel, and in fact, it is to be published tomorrow: http://nikolasandco.com. It definitely had all the traits of being the first born. It got all of my attention, devotion and even insecurities. I must have revised it 7+ times. Characters changed, worlds changed, plots changed. But I knew there was a story in there, and I couldn't let it go.
ReplyDeleteI'm way too stubborn to give up on my first novel, especially since it may be the only novel-worthy idea I ever have.
ReplyDeleteSo, here I am, still working on it, almost 3 years later. It's been through a lot of changes, like rewriting the entire thing from 3rd person into 1st, and still needs a few more.
I'm like Matt and am not giving up on my first novel. I have worked on it for about 7 years. It's been through many changes and I've learned about writing from revising it. Hopefully it will soon be finished at least for now.
ReplyDeleteI do realize that I need to move onto to something else to so I have a new project I'm in the thinking about phase.
My first real novel is actual a small part of my novel that comes out next fall.
ReplyDeleteThere was a character and a piece of that story that always stayed with me, so I morphed it into a small part of my new story.
Shelley
I left my first novel sit for two years, and I recently picked it back up to work on it this month. It made me wonder why I didn't try to edit it sooner.
ReplyDeleteNow my second novel is the one that will stay in the "drawer" for a while. I don't know if it can be saved.
Paul, this is such a great post. I think so many writers are haunted by that first novel that never got published. I am very blessed in the fact that mine did get published, but I have one I wrote after that which has gathered a couple years of dust on my laptop. I know it's worth revisiting, but like you, my life is nutty enough! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying reading everyone's first novel, and second novel, stories!! :-)
ReplyDeleteMy first novel is now a nice keepsake on my hard-drive. I don't think of it as wasted time, though. I learned so much writing it, and I keep learning new things with every book I write.
ReplyDeleteSTORYBOUND is my first novel and is coming out next April. But if I'm being true to my high school self, I did draft a "novel" during chemistry class (with a fountain pen, no less - yes, I was that girl) and it's rolled up somewhere in a box of high school memories. The last time I read it I laughed so hard there were tears. Unfortunately for junior-me, it was supposed to be a drama. haha!
ReplyDeleteMy first is in a file, where it belongs! It was my fourth that sold. I like to think writing isn't efficient but it's never a waste.
ReplyDeleteMy first novel got me signed with an agent, but after being on submissions and an extensive rewrite that condensed the trilogy to a single book (AND changed it from Adult to YA), it was decided that I was still having major voice issues, and after 7 years I just... stopped. Literally could not look at that project again. That was 6 months ago, and today I finally figured out how to fix all my plot and voice issues, so I'm back to working on it again! One day it will sell :-)
ReplyDeleteOh man. My first novel is in a drawer along with the six others that followed it. (Along with the 350 rejection letters that came along with them, too!) And they can all stay there! While they were all worth rewriting over and over again, which I did, I've come to terms with how much I improved over the years...plus, it's nice to open a drawer and see my life from age 24 to age 39 all in one place. I do steal stuff from them, though. The stuff worth stealing. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking about revising it...love the character, but the writing isn't strong...good to know I've gotten better!
ReplyDeleteFirst novel is so well hidden even I can't find it. And there are those times I go looking!
ReplyDeleteIVY'S EVER AFTER was my first novel. I feel, of course, so incredibly lucky and grateful that it found a home, but I am amazed how, only a few short years later, I often feel tugged in other directions--wanting to try new genres, different types of stories, etc. We are always evolving as writers. It's definitely an ongoing journey. Thanks for the great post!
ReplyDeleteStill very much unwritten. I need to dust off the cobwebs and get back to it, methinks...
ReplyDeleteMy first is in a vault. It would so need a major overhaul to even be close to publishable. Maybe one day way in the future. I think it's important to always stay writing (new projects) and moving forward, never dwelling on a project too long. I see people get too attached, and then it's too hard to be honest about it. Just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteMy first novel was written in 15 days, when I started with no plot and no characters. Ah, don't we love last minute NaNoWriMo.
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say, I abandoned it. I've written seven more since then and am working on another. Of those, I'm pleased with three and vaguely fond of one.